HUD-VA (VASH) Pros and Cons Request

[Stacey W. Bannister]

We have purchased our first BRRR and a potential tenant has approached us to rent the SFH at the rent we are asking. She indicated she was a school teacher now but previously served in the military and qualifies for a HUD VA (VASH) rental assistance program. Has anyone in GA had experience with this program that would be willing to share the pros and cons? Thanks.

[Gail K.]

I was contacted by a HUD VASH coordinator but rented the property to a non-vet before we could continue further. I also worked for 30 years in a VA Medical Center in Georgia.

The vouchers are initially provided through the local Housing Authority ("Section 8" folks) but typically managed through your local VAMC.   Your unit would need to go through the same inspection process as Section 8 and in my neck of the woods by these Housing Authority inspectors who are often overworked to begin with so you need to double check how long to wait on this.

Each veteran is assigned a caseworker (often a VAMC social worker) who monitors them MUCH closer than caseworkers assigned to Section 8 folks.  In our program regular home visits by the case workers were very common.

Some landlords reported good experiences with these vets; others not so well.  Keep in mind that in some cases these veterans were homeless because, quite frankly, they had run through all the "good graces" and patience of any and all family members.   Both tobacco and alcohol use were higher in this group (it would benefit you to make sure there is no inside smoking allowed).

Finally, the entire goal of the program is not to provide a veteran with a voucher forever but rather to help them become self sufficient so they can, down the road, pay their own way regarding rent and utilities.  Their voucher would then be turned over to the next homeless veteran.

I hope this helps provide you with some information regarding this program.

Gail